Hung said the two sides should continue to promote co-operation between the two countries in areas of mutual strength, including trade, science and technology, agriculture and education and training.

He hoped that New Zealand would support Viet Nam during negotiations to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership and other international forums.

For his part, McCully said this visit was aimed at implementing New Zealand's commitment to building a sustainable partnership with Viet Nam.

New Zealand would continue to provide Official Development Assistance for Viet Nam to support socio-economic development, poverty reduction and human resources development, as well as strengthen measures to increase two-way trade turnover between the two countries to US$1 billion in 2015.

Also yesterday, Deputy Prime Minster Nguyen Xuan Phuc received the Newzealand minister, saying that the two sides should promote ties in such fields as trade, education and training, culture and tourism.

On the same day, the New Zealand minister held talks with Deputy Prime Minister-cum-Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh.

The two sides expressed their delight at the rapid development of relations between the two countries in general and between the two ministries in particular.

They particularly expressed pleasure at the increase in two-way trade turnover between the two countries, which reached $724 million in 2013, a year-on-year increase of 27 per cent.

The two sides agreed to increase delegation exchanges and organise activities to mark the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties in 2015.

The two sides also agreed to continue to work and support each other at regional and international forums. — VNS